‘Hammer Man’ gets three life sentences

Justice was served for the victims of the 'Hammer Man' as he faces jail for rape, murder and robbery.

Johannesburg – The notorius “Hammer Man” - Bigboy Solomon Moleko - has been sentenced at the Mahikeng High Court to three life sentences for nine cases, which involved rape, murder and robbery, police said.

SAPS spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko on Friday said Moleko, 35, committed the crimes in 2013 in the Seweding and Montshiwa areas.

“Moleko, was named ‘Hammer Man’ after he gained notoriety in Mahikeng for hitting his victims, mostly from Seweding and Montshiwa, with a hammer before either robbing or raping them.”

Ramaloko said Moleko targeted women as they walked past a bush in Extension 39 near the Mmabatho shopping complexes.

“He would hit or threaten them with a hammer, before robbing or raping them,” said Ramaloko.

In September this year, Moleko attacked a 15-year-old girl, who was walking with her boyfriend near the bush.

“Her boyfriend ran away leaving her behind. Moleko then forced her into the bushes where he raped and killed her,” Ramaloko said. The young girl’s body was found the following day in the bushes with several wounds on her upper body.

Ramaloko said Moleko was slapped with three life sentences and 60 years in prison.

“In handing the sentence, the judge did not order that the sentence run concurrently, meaning, Moleko will have to serve his sentences one after the other.”

Applauding the investigating team, acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Tsumane said: “I’m confident that justice has been served for the affected victims. I’m confident that this sentence will send a message to other criminals like Moleko that, crime does not pay”.

Tsumane added: “People like Moleko do not belong in our communities, but where the court had instructed him to spend the rest of his life. Well done to the investigating team”.

African News Agency (ANA)

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